“The album isn’t releasing until next year, and they’ll have backup. It’s the norm in the industry. None of us would ever force something on you that’d make you uncomfortable.”
“I know, and I appreciate that.” I settle into my seat across from him with my dinner. “Cay and Ash think it’s a fantastic idea. They’re encouraging me to give it a shot.”
“So, come on Saturday, and see what happens. There are no expectations.”
“Okay. I’ll come. I’m dying to see you perform again.”
“I’m dying for you to watch me.”
We share a cheesy grin. “Okay, I’m in,” I say, cutting a piece of chicken.
After dinner, Jared insists on cleaning up while I grab a quick shower and get changed. When I emerge from my bedroom, he has a movie lined up and a bottle of wine on ice in the living room. Sitting on the couch beside him, I raise a brow as I stare at the screen. “The Mortal Instruments. Really?”
It instantly takes me back in time. To one of our first official dates. I remember how we spent so much time making out in the back row of the theater we barely saw any of the movie. So, Jared took me again the following week, and we did our best to keep our hands off one another and watch the movie. It was only semi-successful, which is how we found ourselves back at the theater a few days later where we managed to watch most of it on our third attempt.
It became an instant favorite. Mostly because of the memories attached to it. All those teenage feelings rush back to me as I stare at the guy at my side, trying so desperately to reclaim the happiness our parents stole from us.
My heart swells with love for Jared. Moments like this remind me he’s still the same guy deep down underneath. The boy who was my everything is the man who wants to be my everything and more.
Jared shrugs before stretching his arm out on the couch behind me. “You were addicted to this movie when it came out. I haven’t watched it in years. It popped up when I was scrolling, and I thought why not.” He reaches for the remote. “We can look for something else.”
I grab his hand, stalling the motion. “It’s fine, J. Leave it,” I say with a lump in my throat. “Let’s see if it’s as good as we thought it was as kids.”
I switch off the lights, putting the tall lamp in the corner on so it’s not completely dark, and settle down to watch the movie with my ex. Jared keeps a running commentary during the movie, scoffing at the obviously fake tattoos, some of the dodgy hairstyles, and sometimes cringey dialogue. I haven’t laughed this hard in ages. We polish the bottle of wine off, and I’m nicely relaxed.
During the course of the movie, he ends up moving closer to me until our arms are brushing and our thighs are touching. Neither of us moves, and it’s at that point I stop paying attention to the screen and start focusing on every breath that expels from his mouth, every movement of his face, the way his hand slides up and down his thigh, and the way he constantly wets his lips.
I turn rigidly still when his fingers toy with my hair, unsure if he’s aware of it or not. My back is stuck to the couch, and my pussy pulses with need, reminding me I haven’t had sex in four months. My little electric friend just isn’t cutting it these days.
I should not be thinking these thoughts in Jared’s company, but it’s all too common these days. The man is sex on a stick, and I deserve a medal for ignoring our clear chemistry and resisting temptation.
The credits roll, forcing me to move, and I welcome it. I was dangerously close to throwing caution to the wind and doing something stupid like pouncing on him. I can’t forget he has a pregnant ex and a baby on the way. It’s enough to throw ice water over my libido and end all sexy ideas.
“What did you think?” he asks after I’ve turned the overhead light back on.
“I still like it, but it’s definitely not as good as the show.”
“You’ve watched it too?”
“Yeah. All three seasons.”
“Same.”
The unspoken sentiment isn’t voiced. It doesn’t need to be said. In our own ways, we were finding ways to cling to our past and one another.
He clears his throat. “The show is way better. I like the cast better, and they have more time to develop the story. The movie tried to squeeze too much in.”
“I agree.”
“We were approached last year to provide the theme song for a movie, but we had to turn it down because our schedule was too tight. We were gutted.”
“I’m sure the opportunity will arise again.”
“Hopefully.”
“Do you want a coffee for the road?” I ask, climbing to my feet.
“I’ll make it.” He pulls me back down. “Do you want your usual chamomile?”
